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Venice > Sightseeing >
Murano > Glass factories
Murano glass factories
Page 3 of 11
From:
Murano, the Glass Island
ABOVE: V.I.A.'s glass furnace on Murano. INSET
BELOW: A factory showroom, the V.I.A. factory entrance, and a barge filled with
waste glass.
Public factory visits
 The
most interesting glass factories and ateliers on Murano aren't open to visitors,
for two reasons:
-
They're in the business of making glass, not entertaining tourists;
-
Master glass artisans have spent years refining their proprietary
techniques and don't want competitors taking notes.
Still, as you walk around Murano, you're likely to find mass-market fornaci
or furnaces that welcome tourists. The V.I.A. factory is a good example:
 From
the Colonna waterbus stop, turn left as you exit the boat platform and walk
along the water until you reach a "Fornace Glass" sign on a door below the
Calle S. Cipriano street sign, pass beneath the entrance sign, follow the sidewalk, and enter the
building to
view a glassmaking demonstration for a small fee that can be credited
against a purcase from the factory's shop.
The demonstration takes less than 10 minutes, but it's
interesting if you haven't seen a glass furnace.
Tips for visiting:
-
Look for open factories on weekday mornings. Don't count on much action
during the lunch hour (which can run from noon or 1 p.m. until
mid-afternoon).
-
In Venice, you're likely to be approached by representatives of touristy
factory showrooms that offer free boat trips to Murano. If you accept, be
prepared for a high-pressure sales pitch. (We'd recommend getting to Murano
by
public transportation, which is
quick, easy, and pressure-free.)
-
 If
you're a serious glass collector or buyer, you may be able to visit some of
the more artistic fornaci by appointment. we'd suggest making arrangements
through a gallery, dealer, or decorator who has contacts in Murano.
-
To phone
or correspond with workshops directly, buy Michela and Nicoló Scibilia's
Comprehensive Guide to the Island of Murano (see
Murano Tourist
Information) and use the listings in its "Production" chapter as a starting
point for your planning.
-
Glass factories are normally closed for maintenance during August, though a few
tourist-oriented demonstration furnaces may stay open. (Check with the
Venice tourist office during your visit.)
-
Due to a massive spike in the cost of natural gas, many of the island's
furnaces have been shut down recently, and it's unclear how soon--if
ever--all of the the dormant fornaci will be fired up again. This
could make it harder to find glass factories that are offering public
demonstrations.
Next page:
Sightseeing on Murano
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